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France’s militarization of Armenia jeopardizes fragile peace in the South Caucasus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

On November 12, it was reported that France sent a batch of Bastion armoured vehicles to Armenia as part of the newly established military cooperation program with the South Caucasian country. The batch, visually comprising 22 armoured vehicles, reached the port of Poti in Georgia and subsequently proceeded to Armenia via rail transport. In addition to armoured vehicles, France has earlier announced selling air defence systems to Armenia - writes Vasif HuseynovIn October, a month after the collapse of the Armenian separatist entity in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Armenia signed a contract to acquire three Ground Master 200 radars produced by Thales, the same type deployed in Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. Additionally, Armenia finalized a separate contract with Safran for equipment such as binoculars and sensors. A letter of intent was also signed between Armenia and France, initiating the process for the procurement of Mistral air defence systems manufactured by MBDA....

10 Freeway Closed: Mayor Bass to provide update on downtown L.A. shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other local officials plan to hold a news conference at 6 a.m. Monday morning to update Angelenos on the closure of the 10 Freeway through downtown Los Angeles. The public has been warned the freeway could be shut down for a long time after a massive pallet yard fire over the weekend prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency to help facilitate cleanup and repairs. No cars are seen on the 10 Freeway through downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 13, 2023. (KTLA)The fire was first reported early Saturday around 12:30 a.m. near East 14th and Alameda streets underneath the freeway. It engulfed both sides of 14th Street underneath the 10, eventually melting some of the freeway’s steel guardrails and damaging firetrucks.The governor said the investigation into the cause of the fire should finish Monday morning, which would allow for more hazmat work to proceed. That needs to happen before engineers can get a better look at the damage to the fre...

How rookies Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski have earned Warriors’ respect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski aren’t much like the Warriors’ rookies in recent past. Where most rookies are raw athletes teams hope they can mold into NBA players, these two are already NBA-ready.Coach Steve Kerr hasn’t been afraid to play either in key situations. He’s had Jackson-Davis guarding Denver’s MVP center Nikola Jokic last week when Draymond Green was out, and he’s sometimes used Podziemski as a third-string guard role to facilitate the offense and provide a youthful spark.“They’re ready,” Kerr said after the close Denver loss. “We’ll throw them out there in any situation.”Jackson-Davis, 23, is a four-year college player out of Indiana who, under coach Mike Woodson there, learned the value of creating shots for outside shooters as a big. That’s a skill most of the Warriors’ bigs throughout the dynasty have possessed, dating back to the Andrew Bogut days.Jackson-Davis has shown an immediate...

49ers report card: All-around dominance is ‘just what we needed’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Here is how the 49ers (6-3) graded in Sunday’s 34-3 win over the host Jaguars (6-3):PASS OFFENSE: A-Brock Purdy’s career-best passer rating of 148.9 was bolstered in large part by three touchdown passes and an ability to avoid turnovers for the first time in four games. Don’t overlook some of the gutsier, strong-arm throws he made for third-down conversions to Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings on the far sideline. As for the first touchdown pass, Kyle Shanahan called it “one of his worst decisions” Purdy has made as a 49er, to which the second-year QB said: “I’m not necessarily proud of that play, honestly. Yes, it was a touchdown and everything; great. B.A. made a great play. But I’ve got to be smart with the ball, and if anything, I should have ran the ball.” Instead, Purdy put just enough air and touch on an across-the-field throw that it cleared George Kittle and two defenders before Aiyuk snagged it...

A name nearly lost to time — Monterey resident discovered a new species, but he wasn’t credited

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

In 1939, 19-year-old Roy Hattori was diving for abalone off the coast of Point Conception when he saw something different. He cut the odd-looking shell off the rocky bottom of the sea and brought it all the way back to his hometown of Monterey. There, he brought it to the attention of a shell specialist. Just as he had suspected, it was a brand new species. Hattori was excited to feel like a part of history – but when the time came, the new species was named without his discovery being considered.Hattori’s discovery is the research subject of Tim Thomas, local historian and tour guide at the Monterey Bay Wharf. Thomas received the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2023 Ed Ricketts Memorial Award, alongside Linda Yamane, for his lifetime of work in history and education in Monterey Bay. He gave a lecture on his research about Hattori’s story on Wednesday. This story is not only his research, but deeply personal to Thomas. He knew Hattori and understood how the erasure of Hattori...

Marin detectives arrest East Bay man in drug sales investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

Marin County detectives arrested two suspects during an investigation into fentanyl and methamphetamine sales.The arrests happened Wednesday at a shopping center on Shoreline Parkway in San Rafael, where an undercover detective with the Marin County Specialized Investigative Unit arranged to buy 6 ounces of crystal methamphetamine from him for $1,000, according to the sheriff’s department.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Fremont: One killed, another injured in Sunday afternoon shooting Crime and Public Safety | Minor arrested for allegedly making threats against East Bay middle school Crime and Public Safety | Fremont: Police find dozens of cats, some dead, at home of suspected animal hoarder Crime and Public Safety | ‘Our family hasn’t been the same since she’s been gone’: Pair receive life sentences for killing popular East Bay restaurant owner Crime and Public Safety | Alam...

Marin beach visitor dies after being swept into ocean

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

A Point Reyes National Seashore visitor died Friday after being swept into the ocean, the Marin County Fire Department said.The incident happened at about 9 a.m. on South Beach. Authorities sent two rescuers on personal watercrafts, six swimmers, a lifeboat and four helicopters to find the victim, the fire department reported.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Fences along beach cliffs near UCSB will be made taller after 13 fatal falls Crashes and Disasters | Suspected DUI crash in East Bay seriously injures two high school students Crashes and Disasters | US-bound plane takes off with missing window panes as crew fails to spot damage Crashes and Disasters | Caltrain collides with three vehicles in Burlingame Crashes and Disasters | Driver survives after vehicle hit by train in Oakland Rescuers found the victim at about 10 a.m. and airlifted him to South Beach, where he was pronounced dead.The feder...

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge gridlock frustration stokes bike path debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

Transportation planners are supporting a suite of projects to help ease gridlock over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, but to the dismay of discontented drivers, that won’t, for now, involve opening a third westbound commute lane.Critics and supporters of the highway expansion effort faced off Wednesday as planners discussed the fate of the bridge’s bicycle and pedestrian path that has come to the end of its four-year trial run.The Bay Area Toll Authority Oversight Committee said it agreed with a staff recommendation to await the results of a pilot study final report before taking action.Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza, a member of the committee, said it’s a balance between being environmental stewards, cutting emissions and supporting the commuting workforce.“When they look at a potential third lane, it’s easy to get excited about how that could provide some relief,” he said. “But we also acknowledge that there is a process that we have to go through to make sure that if we d...

Los Gatos motorcyclist dies in crash on Highway 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

SANTA CRUZ — A 62-year-old Los Gatos man died Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle and a pickup truck collided on Highway 1 west of Santa Cruz.The California Highway Patrol was called around 2:04 p.m. to a reported crash of a red 2008 Victory Vision and a white 2003 Toyota Tundra for reasons still under investigation on Highway 1 at Dimeo Lane in unincorporated Santa Cruz County.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Police: Man riding stolen motorcycle dies in fiery Oakland crash Crashes and Disasters | Man dies after being hit by BART train in Berkeley Crashes and Disasters | Pedestrian hit and killed by driver in South San Jose Crashes and Disasters | Passenger killed, driver critically injured in solo crash Sunday morning in Hayward Crashes and Disasters | Pedestrian hit and killed by Amtrak train in Oakland The motorcycle rider sustained major injuries and was pronounced dead by medical personnel...

A gruesome discovery, 3 family members still missing and the son of a Hollywood agent arrested. Here’s what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Christina Maxouris | CNNThe son of a Hollywood agent is expected in a Los Angeles court Monday morning after part of a woman’s body was found in a dumpster and led authorities to the home the suspect lived in with his wife and in-laws – all three of whom are missing.The chilling find came just before sunrise Wednesday morning. A person looking through dumpster bins behind a busy road found a bag, and inside it, a woman’s torso, authorities said.The suspect, 35-year-old Samuel Haskell, was arrested hours later on suspicion of murder. Haskell remained in custody as of Sunday night.While identification of the dismembered body part is pending, one police official said it’s believed to be the suspect’s wife, 37-year-old Mei Li Haskell. Her parents, 71-year-old Gaoshan Li and 64-year-old Yanxiang Wang, also remain unaccounted for.Here’s what we know.Police found blood inside the homeInvestigators at the scene where an unidentified female torso was found in a dumpster.(KCBS/KCAL via CNN...